JP2006352579A - Audio rack - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To expand the optimal listening area using an audio rack having a speaker by which surround reproduction is possible. <P>SOLUTION: Surround sounds are outputted using the audio rack 100 having an amplifier 20 which performs audio processing of each channel, a center speaker 30FC which is arranged in the front surface of the rack and outputs an audio signal of the center channel supplied from the amplifier 20, a front left speaker 30 FL which outputs an audio signal of a front left channel supplied from the amplifier 20, a front right speaker 30 FR which outputs an audio signal of a front right channel supplied from the amplifier 20, a first rear left speaker 30SL which outputs an audio signal of a rear left channel supplied from the amplifier 20 and a first rear right speaker 30SR which outputs an audio signal of a rear right channel supplied from the amplifier 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an audio rack equipped with speakers.

  Conventionally, various audio reproduction apparatuses have been proposed for enjoying audio such as radio programs, music CDs (Compact Discs), and DVDs (Digital Versatile Disks) indoors. Such audio reproducing apparatuses include those using a surround technology for realizing a sound field similar to a movie theater and a surround technology for realizing a sound field similar to a music hall. In order for the listener to perform surround playback, it is necessary to install a large number of speaker devices that output audio signals processed for surround playback in the audio equipment. Normally, a rear speaker is placed behind the listener. Yes.

  When a listener listens to stereo-played music or the like using a multi-channel audio device, the listener is interested in the sound field and sound localization. The sound field is a concept used to create a pseudo acoustic space with reproduced sound. The sound localization means that a sound image as a virtual sound source perceived by a listener during stereo reproduction occupies a certain position.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of virtual sound image processing. FIG. 6A shows an example of virtual sound image processing in speaker reproduction. Symbols S and A in FIG. 6 (a) indicate head-related transfer functions from the speakers to the ear-mouths on the speaker side due to the relationship between the two speakers 5L and 5R and the listener 6 in the reproduction system shown in FIG. 6 (b). S and the head-related transfer function A from the speaker to the ear opening located on the opposite side of the speaker. The head-related transfer function is a transfer function that represents the transfer characteristics of sound from the sound source to the listener's eardrum, and is a function that can change depending on physical characteristics such as the listener's head and earlobe.

  From FIG. 6A, the left signal is input to the left input terminal 3L, and the right signal is input to the right input terminal 3R. The right and left signals of the positive phase are added and supplied to the processing block 1 that performs predetermined processing. Further, the negative phase left signal and the normal phase right signal are added and supplied to the processing block 2. The processing block 1 performs filtering using a filter coefficient of 1/2 (S + A), and the processing block 2 uses 1/2 (S−A). Then, the positive phase signal output from the processing block 1 and the negative phase signal output from the processing block 2 are added and output from the left output terminal 4L. Further, the positive-phase signals output from the processing block 1 and the processing block 2 are added and output from the right output terminal 4R.

  For such virtual sound image processing, an audio reproduction device has been devised that outputs an original signal and a signal subjected to virtual sound image processing from two different speakers installed on the left and right. In this case, since different signals (original signal and virtual sound image processed signal) are output from different units as compared with the case where the internally added signal is output from the same speaker unit, the speaker Two signals are synthesized in the acoustic space with little distortion due to mutual signal interference in the unit.

  For example, as a conventional surround system (5.1 channel), the front left of the listener (FL: Front Left), front right (FR: Front Right), left rear left surround (SL: Surround Left) In addition, a 5-channel speaker and a 0.1-channel sub woofer (SW) are installed in the right rear right surround (SR: Surround Right) and center front (FC: Front Center). In this way, 5.1 channel surround playback was realized around the listener.

  On the other hand, an audio rack for storing various audio devices such as a television receiver, a speaker device, and an amplifier device is provided. Such an audio rack includes an audio rack integrated with a plurality of speakers.

Patent Document 1 describes an example of a rack in which speakers are installed.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-14899 (FIG. 2)

  By the way, an audio rack incorporating such a speaker is usually installed in front of a listener to reproduce sound. For this reason, the sound reaches from the front of the listener. Conventionally, in order to perform surround reproduction, a speaker device that outputs a signal of a channel that needs to be arranged behind must be installed at a position behind the listener. However, in order to place the speaker behind the viewing position, a dedicated place is required. Further, in order to send an audio signal to the installed speaker device, it is necessary to lay a cable. However, there are inconveniences such as difficulty in wiring, troublesome adjustment of the installation angle, and inability to secure an installation space.

  In addition, when individual speakers are installed facing the listener, the optimal listening position is only within a limited range, and it can be comfortably heard only when the listener is in front of the audio rack. It was.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object thereof is to expand an optimum listening area by using an audio rack provided with speakers capable of surround reproduction.

  The present invention is an audio rack having built-in speakers for outputting audio signals of five or more channels including at least a left front channel, a right front channel, a center channel, a left rear channel, and a right rear channel, and performs audio processing of each channel. An audio signal processing unit to be performed, a center speaker arranged on the front of the rack and outputting a center channel audio signal supplied from the audio signal processing unit, and arranged adjacent to the center speaker and supplied from the audio signal processing unit The left front speaker that outputs the left front channel audio signal and the right front speaker that is disposed adjacent to the center speaker and outputs the right front channel audio signal supplied from the audio signal processing unit, and adjacent to the left front speaker And a first left rear speaker that outputs an audio signal of the left rear channel supplied from the audio signal processing unit and an audio of the right rear channel that is arranged adjacent to the right front speaker and is supplied from the audio signal processing unit. And a first right rear speaker that outputs a signal.

  By doing in this way, the listener can listen to the sound reproduced in surround from the first left rear speaker and the first right rear speaker arranged in the audio rack.

  According to the present invention, a listener can simply install an audio rack that incorporates each speaker capable of surround playback and an amplifier device, and surround sound with optimized sound quality and sound localization in an expanded listening area. There is an effect that can be heard.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to an audio rack equipped with speakers and audio devices corresponding to 5.1 channels. However, the processing of the low-frequency dedicated channel is omitted, and only the processing of five channels excluding the low-frequency dedicated channel is shown.

  First, a configuration example of the audio rack of this example will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an audio rack 100 on which an audio device such as a speaker can be mounted. The audio rack 100 of this example has a three-stage configuration, and the lower two stages are provided with a space for storing electronic devices such as a video deck and a DVD recorder. A speaker and an amplifier device are built in the uppermost stage.

  In the uppermost stage of the audio rack 100, a left rear speaker 30SL, a left front speaker 30FL, an amplifier device 20, a center front speaker 30FC, a right front speaker 30FR, and a right rear speaker 30SR are installed in front from the left. Then, an audio signal reproduced from a music CD, DVD or the like subjected to stereo recording is supplied to the amplifier device 20 using an audio reproduction device (not shown) as a signal source. The speakers 30SL to 30SR are cable-connected to the speaker connection terminal of the amplifier device 20, and are supplied with an audio signal from the amplifier device 20 and perform audio output. These speakers 30SL to 30SR are configured as so-called full-range speaker devices having substantially flat output characteristics within the audible band.

  Next, an installation example of the audio rack of this example will be described with reference to FIG. The audio rack 100 is disposed in front of the listener 16, and the speakers 30 </ b> SL to 30 </ b> SR are opposed to the listener 16. In FIG. 2, the upper side indicated by the arrow F is the front side of the listener 16, and the lower side indicated by the arrow R is the rear side of the listener 16. There is an optimum listening area 11 in the vicinity of the listener 16, and the sound reproduced in surround can be ideally heard in this area 11.

  Next, an internal configuration example of the audio rack of this example will be described with reference to FIG. First, a reproduction audio signal of 5 channels obtained from music media is supplied from the signal source 21 to the amplifier device 20. In the amplifier device 20, audio signals of the center channel, the left front channel, the right front channel, the left rear channel, and the right rear channel are individually supplied to the preamplifiers 22FC, 22FL, 22FR, 22SL, and 22SR, respectively. The audio signals of the respective channels amplified by the preamplifiers 22FC, 22FL, and 22FR are supplied to the amplifiers 24FC, 24FL, and 24FR, and the sound is output from the speakers 30FC, 30FL, and 30FR. The audio signals amplified by the left rear channel and right rear channel preamplifiers 22SL and 22SR are supplied to sound image processing circuits 23SL and 23SR that perform virtual sound image processing, and after performing virtual sound image processing, the amplifiers 24SL and 24SR And outputs sound through speakers 30SL and 30SR. Here, the processing in the sound image processing circuits 23SL and 23SR, the amplification control of the amplifiers 24FC to 24SR, and the like are subjected to predetermined calculation and control by the control unit 25. Here, the virtual sound image processing is virtual sound image processing for outputting the rear channel sound from the front. For the virtual sound image processing, for example, the processing described with reference to FIG. 6 can be applied. In the virtual sound image processing, audio signals of channels other than the rear channel may be added and processed.

  In this way, it is possible to listen to surround reproduced sound without installing left and right rear speakers behind the listener position.

  At this time, since the speaker that outputs the audio signal of the rear channel is built in the audio rack 100 in advance, it is not necessary to wire from the amplifier device 20 to the left and right rear speakers 30SL and 30SR. For this reason, possibility that the connection mistake etc. of wiring will generate | occur | produce can be reduced. In addition, even in a room where a long cable cannot be installed, there is an effect that the listener can easily enjoy the sound reproduced in surround. In addition, since the speakers are arranged in the horizontal direction and sound is output, there is an effect that the optimum listening area can be expanded.

  In the first embodiment described above, by setting the output level in advance, the listener can easily obtain the surround reproduced sound set to an appropriate output. Further, since the left and right rear speakers are built in the audio rack 100, there is an effect that surround reproduction can be easily enjoyed without providing a space for installing the rear speakers in the room.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the left and right rear speakers built in the audio rack in the first embodiment can be removed. This embodiment is an example applied to an audio rack similar to that of the first embodiment. In this embodiment as well, a speaker and an amplifier device capable of outputting 5.1 channel surround sound are provided. As an integrated audio rack.

  FIG. 4 shows an installation example of the audio rack 101 having a removable rear speaker. In FIG. 4, the same reference numerals are given to the portions corresponding to FIG. The basic internal configuration of the audio rack of this example is the same as that of FIG. 3 described in the first embodiment, and detailed description of the configuration is omitted here. In this example, the left and right rear speakers installed in the audio rack are configured to be removable as necessary. In this case, the left and right rear speakers receive an audio signal from the amplifier device by wireless communication capable of infrared communication, for example, and output the sound.

  The amplifier device 20 ′ of this example includes a transmission unit 31 that converts a rear channel audio signal into an infrared signal and transmits the infrared signal. Further, the rear speakers 30SL ′ and 30SR ′ of the present example include receiving units 32SL and 32SR that receive infrared signals supplied from the transmitting unit 31, respectively. The rear speakers 30SL ′ and 30SR ′ can be detached from the audio rack 101, and can be installed at any location. In FIG. 4, rear speakers 30 </ b> SL ′ and 30 </ b> SR ′ are installed on the left and right rear sides of the listener 16.

  In this way, the rear speakers can be attached and detached, and the audio signals are transmitted wirelessly by infrared, so you can usually enjoy the sound of movies, music, etc. while watching the TV broadcast screen on the front of the audio rack 101, Then, it becomes possible to attach and detach some speakers, move to another place, and enjoy music and the like in a space different from the position of the audio rack 101.

  In the second embodiment described above, the infrared signals transmitted from the transmission unit 31 to the left and right rear speakers 30SL ′ and 30SR ′ change the output timing and transmission time, or have different oscillation frequencies. By taking this measure, interference can be prevented.

  Further, in a home theater system that enjoys the surround effect only with speakers installed in front of the listener 16, sound is usually output in front surround by speakers built in the audio rack 101. On the other hand, when viewing movies or the like, a full-scale home theater can be constructed and viewed by removing the rear speaker and installing it behind the listener 16.

  In the above-described second embodiment, the present invention is applied to a rear speaker that can be attached to and detached from the audio rack 101. However, when the audio rack 101 is attached, the battery integrated with the speaker is charged and removed. The present invention may be applied to a rear speaker that is driven by a charged battery. Similarly, the present invention may be applied to a speaker in which an amplifier device is incorporated in a rear speaker incorporating a battery. Further, the rear speaker itself may be provided with a power supply unit to which power is supplied from the outside, and the power supply may be individually received from a household outlet.

  In the second embodiment described above, the audio signal is transmitted to the left and right rear speakers by infrared communication. However, the audio signal is transmitted by using another wireless method, or wired by a communication cable. It can also be applied to rear speakers.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 shows an installation example of the audio rack 102 provided with an angled rear speaker. In the present embodiment, two rear speakers are provided on the left and right, and each rear speaker is arranged at a predetermined angle with respect to the front surface of the audio rack 102. This embodiment is an example applied to an audio rack similar to that of the first embodiment, and in this embodiment as well, an audio incorporating a speaker and an amplifier device capable of outputting 5.1 channel surround sound. It is as a rack. In FIG. 5, parts corresponding to those already described in FIG.

  The basic internal configuration of the audio rack of this example is the same as that of FIG. 3 described in the first embodiment, and detailed description of the configuration is omitted here. The audio rack 102 of this example has a configuration in which each channel includes two rear speakers that output the same waveform toward the outside at angles of 45 degrees and 90 degrees with respect to the horizontal axis of the front of the audio rack.

  For example, the first left rear speaker 30SLa of the present example outputs the sound toward the outside at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal axis of the front of the audio rack, and the second left rear speaker 30SLb at an angle of 90 degrees. Similarly, the first right rear speaker 30SRa of this example has an audio output of, for example, 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal axis in front of the audio rack 102, and the second right rear speaker 30SRb has an angle of 90 degrees toward the outside. Let The surround audio signals from the amplifier 20 are supplied to the first and second rear speakers installed on the left and right by serial connection or parallel connection.

  Conventionally, when obtaining the surround effect, it is known that the surround effect is higher when the audio signal is synthesized on the acoustic space than the audio signal is synthesized on the circuit. When synthesizing sounds obtained from two or more speakers in an acoustic space, the audio signals themselves that are input to the two speakers that output the sound have the same phase and strength, and are output from the front and heard from the rear. Signal processing is performed. Then, a distance difference with respect to the listener 16 is created by changing the installation position of the speaker, and as a result, a time difference until the sound reaches the listener 16 is created. At this time, in order to make a time delay, it is more effective to turn the speaker outward.

  In the audio rack 102 of this example, the left and right rear speakers that output the signal that has been subjected to the virtual sound image signal processing are separated into two and are directed in different directions. In other words, the synthesis in the acoustic space is performed by directing the angles of the two speakers in different directions so that the synthesis characteristic in the acoustic space is such that the listener 16 feels a virtual sound image more. Yes.

  In this way, it is possible to obtain surround sound output by a speaker provided in front of the listener.

  In the audio rack 102 of this example, the two left and right rear speakers that are angled outward are always fixed at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal axis of the front of the audio rack 102. Further, at least one speaker is installed so as to face the side surface (90 degrees) of the audio rack 102. For example, if two left and right rear speakers are provided at a position facing the listener, sound will reach the listener directly. Since the speaker has directivity, the reproduced sound reaches the listener directly, but the surround effect is not obtained so much. However, if the rear speaker is installed at a different angle, the sound does not directly enter the listener's ear, so that the surround effect can be enhanced.

  Further, in the audio rack 102 of this example, the optimum listening area 11 is expanded in the horizontal direction by directing the angles of the two speakers in different directions. Thus, by expanding the optimum listening area 11, conventionally, only the listener who is in the narrowest optimum listening area 11 can enjoy surround sound, but a plurality of listeners can enjoy surround sound at the same time. There is. In addition, the surround effect can be further enhanced by installing two left and right rear speakers at different angles.

  In the third embodiment described above, the first left and right rear speakers 30SLa, 30SRa that output surround playback sound are installed at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal axis on the front surface of the audio rack 102. The second left and right rear speakers 30SLb and 30SRb are installed at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the horizontal axis in front of the audio rack 102. However, the second left and right rear speakers 30SLb and 30SRb may be installed at various angles depending on the shape of the audio rack 102. Good.

  In the third embodiment described above, it is possible to easily cope with an increase in the number of speakers for surround reproduction. At this time, by adding rear speakers, the listener can enjoy surround reproduction and can easily add speakers.

  In the above-described third embodiment, in the audio rack 102 of this example, the two rear speakers provided on the left and right are stored in a common speaker box. However, the rear speakers are provided in separate speaker boxes. You may make it store.

  Further, in the third embodiment described above, two left and right rear speakers are provided side by side in the horizontal direction, but the same surround effect can be obtained even if provided in the vertical direction. In this case, since the width of the audio rack in the horizontal direction can be reduced, there is an effect that the size of the audio rack can be reduced.

  In this way, in the first to third embodiments described above, the rear speaker and the amplifier device are connected in advance, so that the listener can easily install. Therefore, there is an effect that the listener can enjoy the desired surround reproduced sound without taking time to install the rear speaker. Moreover, since a surround effect can be obtained without installing a rear speaker behind the listener, there is an effect that it is not necessary to provide a space for installing the rear speaker.

It is the perspective view which showed the example of the audio rack in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the block diagram which showed the example of installation of the audio rack in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the block diagram which showed the example of the internal structure of the audio rack in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the block diagram which showed the example of installation of the audio rack in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is the block diagram which showed the example of installation of the audio rack in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which showed the example of the virtual sound image process in the conventional embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  1, 2 ... Processing block, 3L, 3R ... Input terminal, 4L, 4R ... Output terminal, 5L, 5R ... Speaker, 6 ... Listener, 11 ... Optimum listening area, 16 ... Listener, 20, 20 '... Amplifier device , 21 ... Signal source, 22FL-22FC ... Preamplifier, 23SL, 23SR ... Sound image processing circuit, 24FL-24FC ... Amplifier, 25 ... Control unit, 30FL-30FC ... Speaker, 31 ... Transmission unit, 32SL, 32SR ... Reception unit, 100 ~ 102 ... Audio rack

Claims (4)

An audio rack with built-in speakers for outputting audio signals of 5 channels or more including at least a left front channel, a right front channel, a center channel, a left rear channel, and a right rear channel.
An audio signal processing unit for performing audio processing of each channel;
A center speaker arranged on the front of the rack and outputting the audio signal of the center channel supplied from the audio signal processing unit;
A left front speaker that is arranged adjacent to the center speaker and outputs an audio signal of the left front channel supplied from the audio signal processing unit;
A right front speaker that is arranged adjacent to the center speaker and outputs an audio signal of the right front channel supplied from the audio signal processing unit;
A first left rear speaker disposed adjacent to the left front speaker and outputting the left rear channel audio signal supplied from the audio signal processing unit;
An audio rack, comprising: a first right rear speaker disposed adjacent to the right front speaker and outputting the right rear channel audio signal supplied from the audio signal processing unit. The audio rack according to claim 1, wherein
The first left rear speaker and the first right rear speaker are removable, and the left rear channel audio signal and the right rear channel audio signal are sent from the audio signal processing unit to the first left rear speaker. An audio rack characterized by wirelessly transmitting to a rear speaker and the first right rear speaker. The audio rack according to claim 2, wherein
The audio rack according to claim 1, wherein the wireless transmission uses infrared communication. The audio rack according to claim 1, wherein
A second left rear speaker for supplying and outputting the audio signal of the left rear channel from the audio signal processing unit;
A second right rear speaker for supplying and outputting the audio signal of the right rear channel from the audio signal processing unit;
The first left rear speaker is disposed at an outward angle of approximately 0 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less with respect to the arrangement direction of the center speaker,
The second left rear speaker is disposed in an outward side direction;
The first right rear speaker is disposed at an outward angle of approximately 0 degree or more and 90 degrees or less with respect to the arrangement direction of the center speaker,
The audio rack according to claim 2, wherein the second right rear speaker is arranged in an outward side direction.

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